The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-01


his share. He mounted my horse, and
me ride slowly before him.
directed my way through bride path
in and amongs; The heavy tn ok timber.
Why he did mol kill me at once | do
not know, except that he may have de-
sired to prolomg my torture, or to
really keep faith with his fellows.
We rode in silence for an hour or
more. At last we came TO small
clearing; niger patch " in the centre
of which was tumbleddown hut.
Here Kingsley stopped, dismounted,
united my feet, motioned me to enter
the cabin and followed me.
The only occupant of the place was
a little. thin. half-starved yellow
woman. She seemed scared TO death"
when we invaded her poor place, but
on demand furn shed us drink of
water, and Kingsley piece OF corn
bread. She gave me one. but he struck
it from her hand, saying:
Let the--Yankee starve'
This gave her II clew to the whole
situation and could see that she
symputh zcd with me, but was power
less to give me aid. Several times she
made excuses and tried to 90 out, but
was ordered, with many oaths to re.
main where she was
| will not attempt to describe my
feelings, they can easily be imagined
The thoughts of snch an ignoble end
ing to an extended and somewhat
creditable military career was what
troubled me most. But knew that
nothing short OF a miracle could save
me.
Kengsley had been frequent in his at
tentons to The canteen of whisky dur.
ing our ride, and now he had it at his
mouth every few minutes. With every
drink his rage increased, and he pour
ed upon my head all the vile curses and
foul names he could think of or invent.
He kicked and cutfed me, struck me
almost stunning blows on the head with
the butt of his revolver, and took
devil,h pleasure in picturing the tor
ments to VIII ch would be subjected.
From the way he tilted the canteen |
could see that it would soon be empty,
and fully expected that my life would
end with the liquor
He was mad with rage and drunken
ness.
He drained the last drop and threw
the vessel from him, then sat for time
in moody silence, casting glances of
hate AT me and playing with his re-
volver.
"At last. with terrible oath that he
would finish me now." he rose and
placed the pistol withing three inches
of my forehead.
He meant TO kill me, I could see it in
his eyes. He delayed a moment in
pulling the trigger The little black
woman sprang for him and grasped his
arms.
Not here! not here!" she cried pite-
ously.
The man turned upon her. l was so
tied hand and foot, that ! could neither
aid nor escape. That woman chung to
him, he could not shake her off, nor
could his blows hurt her much at such
close quarters.
Two shots he fired without effect,
while the woman struggled and writh-
ed and wound herself about him.
To more easily grasp her he must
have loosened his hold on the pistol. at
all events it few from his hand and fell
behind AN old box that was standing in
corner His hands both free, he
seized the poor creature by the throat,
choked her almost into insensibiity,
then Lifted and slammed" her in
helpless mass on the dirty floor.
There was no hope for me now.
Painting with his exertions he made
his way to the box. and his head turn
ed to watch me, grouped with his hand
for the pistol.
Muttering hot curses he fumbled
around for moment or two, then gave
a start, a quick glance at the dark cav
ity and uttered fearful yell, straight
ened up, and saw the most frightful,
terror-stricken face my eyes ever look
ed upon.
In a second long. thin. black body
glided across the floor and out of the
door. 1t was huge rattlesnake, and
its fangs had closed we'll and deadly in.